Japan Provides The Single Largest Grant-In-Aid Of Rs. 6 Billion For Improvement Of Water Treatment And Distribution System In Faisalabad .

JAPAN PROVIDES THE SINGLE LARGEST GRANT-IN-AID OF RS. 6 BILLION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF WATER TREATMENT AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN FAISALABAD
Islamabad: March 20, 2021


The Government of Japan has extended its grant-in-aid of Japanese Yen 4.09 billion (Rs. 6 billion approximately) for “Improvement of Water Treatment Plant and Water Distribution System in Faisalabad” aiming to increase the production capacity of the water treatment plant, transmission and distribution systems in Faisalabad city. Mr. Noor Ahmed, Secretary, Economic Affairs Division and H. E. Kuninori Matsuda, Ambassador of Japan, signed the Exchange Notes and Record of Discussions on behalf of their Governments. This is the third intervention by the Japanese Government in WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) to address the issues being faced by urban cities in Pakistan. The similar assistance was extended to Faisalabad for replacement of pumping machinery at in-line booster pump station and terminal reservoirs worth US$ 13.4 million and to Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad worth US$ 4.7 million. Talking on the occasion, Secretary, Economic Affairs Division expressed that Pakistan values the reciprocal and congenial relations with Japan and both countries share mutual stance on most of the regional and international affairs. He further stated that Pakistan is one of the developing countries where the limited water resources are depleting drastically due to rapid population growth and increasing economic activities, and water is the core source of not only sustainability of life but also various developmental sectors such as health, agriculture, energy, urban and industrial development. Therefore, Japan’s assistance regarding water and sanitation is highly valued by Pakistan. Japanese economic assistance has played and shall continue to play a vital role in the socio economic uplift of Pakistan. Ambassador Mr. Matsuda stressed that this is the single largest grant-in-aid from Japan to Pakistan this year. And on a lighter note he remarked that instead of being known as the land of rising sun, Japan may be called as a source of clean drinking water after this assistance. JICA Chief, Mr. Furuta emphasized that Faisalabad is the 3rd most populated city of Pakistan with population of 3.8 Million, limited water resources and ineffective water distribution network along with threats of industrial wastes and sewerage deposits flowing into the water supply pose serious environmental and health hazards. This project will enhance the capacity of WASA Faisalabad in distribution of clean drinking water supply to the city. And this project will build capacity of Punjab government to replicate the same model in other cities. Mr. Jabbar Anwar, Managing Director, WASA Faisalabad thanked the Japanese Government for providing this grant for uplifting of city’s water supply system. MD, WASA assured of quick implementation of this project so that the citizen of Faisalabad could benefit from this Japanese assistance at the earliest. Secretary, Economic Affairs Division appreciated the Government and the people of Japan for their support with the assurance of extending all necessary facilitation for more meaningful cooperation between the two sides in future.